PM Modi visits LK Advani as veteran leader enters 100th year
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid a visit to the residence of veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani to extend his warm birthday greetings. Advani, one of the foundational stalwarts of modern Indian politics and a recipient of the prestigious Bharat Ratna, celebrated his 99th birthday, marking his official entry into his hundredth year. During the visit, PM Modi spent time with the veteran patriarch, extending his best wishes for good health and longevity. Sharing highlights from the interaction, the Prime Minister reflected on Advani's colossal contribution to nation-building, the strengthening of the party's grassroots structure, and his decade-spanning public service. On his official X account, PM Modi said, Today, November 8, is a landmark day. Respected L.K. Advani Ji enters his hundredth year. On this special occasion, my greetings to him. I've written an article in which I've highlighted his everlasting contribution to India. I have recalled his journey, be it experiencing the horrors of Partition and rebuilding life from scratch, strengthening the Jana Sangh and building the BJP, standing up for democracy during the Emergency, leading the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra or serving the nation in government. Have also written about other aspects of Advani Ji -- the voracious reader, his love for culture and cinema, a prolific writer and more. In a heartfelt tribute, Prime Minister Modi highlighted how Advani's life has touched several defining chapters of independent India. Tracing his journey from the tragic events of Partition in 1947 to his early days as an RSS Pracharak and later as a Parliamentarian, PM Modi praised Advani's resilience, ideological clarity, and commitment to the principle of Nation First. He noted that Advani's leadership helped transform the BJP into a major national political force and nurtured generations of party workers across the country. The Prime Minister also recalled iconic milestones in Advani's public career, including his legendary Somnath to Ayodhya Ram Rath Yatra, his firm stand during the Emergency, and his long-standing, collaborative partnership with former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. PM Modi remarked that the legendary pair set an exemplary precedent of leadership without rivalry, fundamentally altering the trajectory of Indian politics. The occasion drew widespread warm wishes from political leaders across party lines, Cabinet Ministers, and party workers nationwide. Special programs and gatherings were organised to celebrate the milestone of the senior statesman as he steps into his 100th year. Members of the political fraternity reiterated that LK Advani's legacy of discipline, selfless service, and intellectual rigor continues to serve as a guiding beacon for public figures across India.
Bihar Police Arrest Cyber Fraudsters With Pakistan Contacts
Two individuals were arrested in Bihar's East Champaran district for cyber fraud and alleged connections to Pakistani contacts, following a raid that uncovered suspicious mobile communications and financial transactions.
Four Police Personnel Injured In Lakhisarai Raid Attack
Four police personnel, including a female constable, were injured when a group of people attacked a police team raiding premises involved in illegal liquor trade and gambling in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on Sunday. An FIR has been registered against 19 named accused and 20-25 unidentified individuals, with 12 arrests made so far.
Bihar Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 Postponed To November 22; Admit Cards To Release on November 12
According to officials, the change has been introduced after November 11 was declared a public holiday on account of Bhai Dooj and Chitragupta Puja.
FairPoint: A mother's defence cannot hide a son's electoral failures
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) It is not uncommon for a mother to defend her child, whatever the circumstances. It is a deeply ingrained human instinct. So, when Sonia Gandhi says Congress and other Opposition parties have not had a level playing field since 2014, it appears to be little more than a mother coming to her son's defence. She says the BJP has a complete stranglehold over all institutions, particularly the Election Commission. The veteran leader also claims that the mainstream media has been controlled, and that the ruling party is using money power and exploiting religion. No doubt, this is a mother's explanation for her son's inability to gain power despite having been in politics and 'working so hard' since 2004, when Rahul Gandhi took the political plunge. A mother's defence of her son is understandable and, in many ways, even praiseworthy. But the repeated electoral defeats since she and, subsequently, her son took charge of the Congress party raise a much bigger question. Sonia Gandhi became the party president in 1998, several years after the death of Rajiv Gandhi in a major terror attack in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. Since then, Congress has seen a steady decline, except once, in 2009, when it went past 200 in the Lok Sabha on its own. No matter whom she blames for the losses, the truth about the grand old party today is that its decline has been gradual, with each successive election taking it further down the political ladder. Over the past three decades, the party has struggled to retain its position as the country's dominant political force. In 2004, Congress won 145 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, with a vote share of 26.53 per cent (10,34,08,949 votes). The BJP won 138 seats. Congress, along with its allies, formed the government at the Centre under the UPA banner, with outside support from the Left Front, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. Sonia Gandhi became UPA chairperson, while Manmohan Singh took over as Prime Minister. It was also in 2004 that Rahul Gandhi entered active politics by contesting and winning his first Lok Sabha election from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. He did not hold any ministerial portfolio or formal Cabinet position, but his political standing within the party was already significant. In 2009, Congress won 206 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, gaining 61 seats over its 2004 tally. Its vote share rose to 28.55 per cent (11,91,11,019 votes). Sonia Gandhi continued as UPA chairperson, and Manmohan Singh remained Prime Minister in UPA-II. Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, had become the General Secretary of the party in September 2007 and was given charge of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). He was appointed Congress Vice-President on January 19, 2013, and, four years later, in December 2017, succeeded his mother as party president. The party lost power in 2014, and when the defeat was repeated in 2019, Rahul Gandhi resigned as Congress president, taking moral responsibility for the party's electoral performance. In a four-page open letter, he stressed that accountability was critical for the party's future and called upon the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to find his successor. Since Rahul began exercising considerable influence over the party's decision-making, particularly from 2009 onwards, Congress has reportedly lost 71 of the 83 Assembly elections it has contested. This is apart from its continued inability to return to power at the Centre. From being in power in 11 states in 2014, the party is now down to four. The success of any political leader is ultimately measured by electoral victories, and Rahul Gandhi's record falls woefully short. Considering his political lineage, his performance so far has been particularly disappointing. His great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru's Congress dominated the country's political landscape and ruled more than three-fourths of the states. His grandmother, Indira Gandhi, won three Lok Sabha elections, two of them with huge majorities, and under her leadership, Congress ruled over more than two-thirds of the states. Even his mother, Sonia Gandhi, did a commendable job, achieving what had seemed almost impossible. Despite the party being out of power at the Centre from 1996 to 2004, she managed Congress's return in 2004. Rahul Gandhi may no longer be the president of his party, but he continues to remain its principal power centre and de facto chief. No major or minor decisions are taken without his involvement and approval. So, when the party continues to slump, he cannot escape responsibility. Yet, he has failed to find the right strategy or take the necessary steps to arrest the decline, let alone bring about a revival. He has consistently failed to present an alternative model of governance. Instead, his principal political ammunition has been to demean Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launch personal attacks, question Indian democracy on foreign shores, and even hold meetings and parleys with individuals known for their anti-India positions. There has been little in the way of a positive political narrative or a credible governance model that the electorate can look forward to. His politics has largely revolved around attacking the ruling dispensation rather than presenting what a Congress government would do differently. What he has found instead is the SIR and 'vote chori' narrative. He tried hard to make it a major electoral issue in Bihar and West Bengal, but the results did not go his way. Despite the lack of any widespread public acceptance of these allegations, Rahul continues to raise the issue of vote theft. And standing firmly behind him is his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who appears equally convinced that her son is losing elections because of electoral manipulation. The decline of Congress as the country's dominant political party is a fact. Blaming institutions, the media or the ruling party may provide temporary political comfort, but it cannot explain away repeated electoral failures. A political party cannot keep fighting elections on the premise that the system is against it. At some point, it has to look within and ask why voters are unwilling to give it another chance. There cannot be a bigger disappointment than watching a rocket firecracker fail to take off, only to fizzle out near the very glass bottle from which it was supposed to make a grand launch. The excitement disappears, the claps stop midway, and the expected spectacle never materialises. Yet, there are always voices urging another attempt, hoping that the next launch will finally succeed. But merely lighting another firecracker will not change the outcome. Sometimes the entire approach needs to change, and a fresh beginning is required to get the desired result. It is high time Sonia Gandhi understood this. A mother can certainly help her child find the right direction, but she cannot keep defending every failure. In a democracy, it is the people's mandate that decides who governs the country. No amount of street protests, allegations, or political rhetoric can substitute for that mandate. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Bihar STET 2026: Check The Revised Exam Date, Admit Card Details
The Bihar STET exam date has been revised, now the exam will be conducted on November 22, 2026 instead of November 11, 2026. As November 11 has been declared as the public holiday on the account of Bhai Dooj and Chitragupta Puja.
A bridge between past and present
A German publication ranked Bihar Museum among the best in the world.MayankKumarvisits to understand what went into the making of the museum and what visitors think of its contribution to the development of Indian civilization
Four young men on Saturday (November 7, 2026), from Bengaluru, travelled about 2,200 km riding on an old auto-rickshaw to reach Areraj town, in East Champaran
From UP to Bihar, experts dive into 750km survey to count Gangetic dolphins
Campus book clubs open new worlds for students in Patna
Patnas reading circles offer a digital detox, bring strangers together
Digital burnout draws readers to book clubs in Patna
Bihar NDA partners BJP and JD(U) aim to show unity ahead of Modi's November rally in Vaishali
BJP and JD(U) are collaborating to showcase unity as Prime Minister Modi prepares for his upcoming rally. The rally, scheduled for November 21, will mark a year of NDA governance in Bihar. Tensions arose from the recent MLC elections with accusations regarding BJP's lack of support for JD(U) candidates. Despite internal criticisms, leaders are focusing on ensuring the success of Modi's event.
Over 9,000 Bihar police personnel get higher responsibilities
With no train tickets, Delhi trio takes autorickshaw to Madhubani
43 newly appointed council staff to undergo fresh tests on Nov 18
Land dispute triggers firing in Patna village, six injured; eight detained
Three drug peddlers held with heroin worth Rs 35 lakh, Rs 19.5 lakh cash seizure in Bihar's Kaimur
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 7 (IANS) The Bihar Police on Saturday busted an alleged heroin trafficking network by an operation in Kaimur district, arresting three people, including a woman, and recovering 52.58 grams of heroin worth around Rs 35 lakh. The seizure was made during a raid at a house in the Babu Mohalla area under Kudra police station following a tip-off that heroin was being packaged into smaller quantities for distribution. Mohania Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Gopal Krishna said the Kudra police received confidential information about the illegal activity and immediately formed a team to conduct a raid. The operation was carried out at the residence of local resident Kiran Devi in the presence of a Magistrate, who also serves as the Circle Officer. During the search, police recovered 52.58 grams of heroin and Rs 19,48,012 in cash, suspected to be linked to the illegal drug trade. Three people were arrested from the premises. They have been identified as Kiran Devi, a resident of Ward No. 11 in Kudra, and Mintu Singh and Rajesh Singh, both residents of Karampura Pipra village under Durgawati police station. According to police, three other suspects managed to escape after noticing the arrival of the police team. They have been identified as Gular Singh alias Anchal Singh, Shibu Singh and Jitendra Singh, all residents of the Kudra area. Police said Gular Singh has a criminal history and efforts are underway to trace and arrest all three absconding suspects. The recovery of a substantial amount of cash alongside the narcotics has raised questions about the scale of the alleged trafficking operation and its financial network. Investigators are now examining the source of the seized money, the supply chain of the heroin and the possible involvement of other people in the illegal trade. Mohania SDPO Gopal Krishna said further legal proceedings were underway in connection with the recovery and arrests. Police teams are also conducting raids at suspected locations to apprehend the remaining accused. The investigation is expected to establish the extent of the network, its links with other drug suppliers and the number of people involved in the alleged trafficking operation. The seizure comes amid ongoing efforts by Bihar Police to enforce prohibition laws and curb the illegal narcotics trade in the state.
Bihars Ranivas Mound declared monument of national importance
Currently, 70 sites in Bihar are under the stewardship of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 7 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday participated in a grand Deepotsav in Kalyanpur, his home district of Munger, where 11,11,111 earthen lamps were illuminated along the banks of the Ganga a day before Diwali. The Chief Minister inaugurated the event by lighting the first lamp at the premises of the Maa Badi Durga Maharani temple. The grand celebration witnessed considerable public participation, with the riverbank illuminated by thousands of lamps. On the occasion, CM Choudhary offered prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for the prosperity, happiness and well-being of the people of Bihar. He said that Diwali symbolises the victory of truth over falsehood and extended festive greetings to the people of the state. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister announced that construction of an 83-km-long Marine Drive connecting Munger and Bhagalpur would begin within the next two months. He added that soil erosion caused by the Ganga had been damaging agricultural land and crops, affecting farmers in several areas. The proposed Marine Drive is expected to contribute to regional development while addressing some of the challenges faced by the riverbank areas. Referring to the problems associated with the Farakka Barrage and the accumulation of silt in the Ganga, Chief Minister Choudhary said efforts were underway to find a lasting solution. He added that an agreement was reached with the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on November 2 to utilise silt removed from the Ganga in Bihar for road construction projects. The Chief Minister also said that instructions had been issued to develop arrangements for channelising Ganga water to dams across the state. Highlighting the state government's industrial development agenda, CM Choudhary said efforts were being made to establish industries through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to generate employment opportunities for Bihar's youth within the state. He said his priority was to ensure that young people could find employment in their home state rather than migrate elsewhere in search of a livelihood. Describing himself as a son of Munger, Samrat Choudhary said that he was serving as the Chief Minister of Bihar with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar. He also thanked the people of Munger district and the Bhagalpur division for their support in the elections.
Elderly couple found killed at Jamui home
CM opens Deepotsav with over 11L lamps
Diwali crackers: From palace courtyards to crowded streets
10 ancient idols stolen from Saran temple
Cop who went missing after drug raid found dead
Five-day winter session of Bihar Vidhan Sabha to begin on Nov 30
Bihar: Panchayat heads brother found dead in Begusarai after four days
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 7 (IANS) The body of a 25-year-old man, who had been missing for four days, was recovered from a pond in Bihar's Begusarai district on Saturday, triggering panic and raising suspicion of murder in the area. The deceased was identified as Dashrath Sahani, son of the late Rajendra Sahani, a resident of Banahara village under Bhagwanpur police station. He was working as a sanitation supervisor in the Sahuri Panchayat of Barauni block. The case has also attracted political attention as Dashrath was the brother of Sahuri Panchayat Mukhiya Pramila Devi. His brother-in-law, Jaijai Ram Sahani, is the Begusarai district president of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and also serves as the Mukhiya's representative. According to family members, Dashrath left his house for a morning walk on November 4 but never returned. After searching for him for several days without success, the family lodged a missing person complaint at Veerpur police station on November 6. Police subsequently registered an FIR and launched a search operation. On Saturday, around 3 p.m., police received information about a body floating in a pond in the agricultural fields of Sahuri Panchayat, locally known as the bahiyar. A team from Veerpur police station reached the spot and, with the assistance of residents, recovered the body. It was subsequently identified as Dashrath Sahani. The discovery drew a large crowd from nearby villages. Ranjan Kumar Singh, representative of the Panchayat Up-Pramukh, suspected that Dashrath had been brutally murdered. He alleged that the victim was beaten, strangled and had his hands and legs tied before his body was dumped into the pond. However, these allegations have not yet been independently established. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Veerpur police station said preliminary findings suggested a murder, adding that the possibility of the young man being killed elsewhere before his body was dumped in the pond was also being examined. Sadar DSP-2 Kumari Durga Shakti reached the spot and supervised the investigation. She confirmed the recovery of the body but said the family members had not yet provided clear information about the circumstances surrounding the incident. She said further action would be taken based on the family's formal complaint and evidence gathered during the investigation. The body was sent to Begusarai Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination and subsequently handed over to the family. Police are investigating all possible angles, including personal enmity and other motives. The exact cause and circumstances of death will be established after examination of the post-mortem report. The recovery has left the family devastated and raised concerns in the locality. Police are now trying to establish who killed Dashrath Sahani, why he was targeted and where the murder took place.
Bihar gets Rs10k cr advance tax transfer ahead of festivals
Govt sets 48 lakh hectares target for Rabi crops cultivation
Now, explore Patna with three new packages of tourism dept
Diwali rush: No seats, packed trains as thousands leave Gurugram for home
A massive rush of people heading home for Diwali led to severe overcrowding at Gurugram's railway and metro stations on Saturday, with packed trains, long queues at bus terminals and many passengers turning to informal transport to reach their destinations. Trains bound for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal were so overcrowded that there was no standing room available, according to an official. Passengers faced significant challenges boarding the general compartments, with many even squeezing into sleeper coaches. In their desperation to get home, some passengers resorted to travelling while hanging onto the carriage doors. The situation sometimes escalated to physical altercations among passengers, the official added. Throughout the day, teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force conducted security checks on the platforms and worked to manage the crowds. Four trains passed through Gurugram on Saturday, heading toward Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, an
Delhi Chawri Bazar Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises To Six
New Delhi: The death toll in the Chawri Bazar building collapse in Old Delhi rose to Six on Saturday after rescue teams recovered another victims body from beneath the debris. The latest victim was identified as 40-year-old Pankaj Sharma, a resident of Hanuman Nagar village in Bihars Khagaria district. The other two deceased have been []
Bihar: Two held in East Champaran for cyber fraud linked to Pakistan
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 7 (IANS) Bihar Police have arrested two men in East Champaran district for allegedly operating a cyber fraud network linked to Pakistani nationals and facilitating suspicious financial transactions through Indian bank accounts and QR codes. The arrests were made during simultaneous raids at two rented houses in the Belisarai area late Saturday. Police recovered two Android mobile phones and five ATM cards from the accused. Digital evidence, including Pakistani WhatsApp numbers, suspicious conversations and financial transaction records, was also found on their mobile phones. Superintendent of Police (SP) Swarn Prabhat on Saturday said a special police team led by Sadar SDPO-1 Dilip Kumar conducted the raids around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday following a tip-off. According to preliminary investigations, the accused were allegedly in contact with Pakistani nationals and were operating under their instructions. They reportedly received money into Indian bank accounts through QR codes and subsequently transferred the funds to other accounts. During the examination of their mobile phones, police discovered WhatsApp numbers linked to Pakistan and suspicious conversations indicating their alleged involvement in the financial network. The accused have been identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Semmuapur under Dumariyaghat police station, and Raju Kushwaha alias Raju Kumar Bhagat (22), a resident of Shyampur Barwa under Sangrampur police station. Both were staying in rented accommodation in Belisarai. Police recovered five ATM cards, including three issued by Federal Bank, one by IDFC First Bank and one by Bank of India. The cards were registered in the names of Raju Kumar and Raju Kumar Bhagat. Investigators suspect that the bank accounts were being used to receive and withdraw money generated through cyber fraud before transferring it elsewhere. The seized mobile phones and ATM cards have been sent for further examination. Police are also analysing the bank accounts, transaction records and digital communications to establish the scale of the suspected operation. The investigation is focused on identifying the Pakistani contacts, tracing the financial transactions, determining the total amount routed through the accounts and establishing whether the network had connections across multiple states. Police are also examining the possible involvement of other individuals in the racket. The raiding team included Sadar DSP-1 Dilip Kumar, Inspector Rajiv Ranjan, Sub-Inspectors K.V. Hanumanta, Santosh Kumar and Satish Kumar, along with Jamadar Bhim Yadav, female constable Putul Kumari and other police personnel. Further investigation is underway to establish the complete network and identify its alleged masterminds.
Bihar Assembly's winter session from Nov 30 to Dec 4; second supplementary budget to be presented
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 7 (IANS) The schedule for the Winter Session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 2026 was announced on Saturday. The five-day session will commence on November 30 and conclude on December 4, with a total of five sittings. According to the schedule issued by the Assembly Secretariat, proceedings will begin at 11 a.m. on November 30. The presentation and approval of the second supplementary budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be the major agenda of the session, along with the introduction of government bills and other official business. On the opening day, Monday, November 30, newly elected members who have not yet taken the oath will be administered the oath, if required. Certified copies of ordinances promulgated by the Governor since the conclusion of the previous session will also be laid before the House. The government will present the second supplementary statement of expenditure for 2026-27, seeking legislative approval for additional expenditure required during the current financial year. The House will also pay tributes to departed leaders and other eminent personalities. On December 1 and 2, the Assembly will take up government bills and other official business. Members will deliberate on legislative proposals introduced by the government and complete other scheduled parliamentary proceedings. Thursday, December 3, will be dedicated primarily to the second supplementary budget. The House will hold a detailed discussion on the proposed additional expenditure, followed by voting. The related Appropriation Bill will also be introduced and taken up for consideration as part of the legislative process. The final day, Friday, December 4, has been reserved for Private Members' Business, during which legislators will be able to move and discuss their private members' resolutions. The Assembly Secretariat has directed members to submit their notices within the prescribed timeframe. No member will be allowed to submit more than one private member's resolution for consideration on the same day. A separate schedule for questions to be raised by legislators during the session will be issued. As per established procedure, the selection and priority of short-notice and starred questions will be determined through a lottery system. The Secretariat has also clarified that the programme may be modified if required. If the House decides to extend its proceedings beyond December 4, a revised schedule will be issued separately. The five-day session is expected to witness discussions on additional government expenditure, legislative proposals and issues raised by members through private resolutions.
Diwali rush: Over 8.20 lakh passengers travel in six days; Western Railway runs 73 special trains
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Nov 7 (IANS) More than 8.20 lakh passengers travelled from stations under the Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway in the first six days of November, prompting the railway administration to deploy additional staff, set up holding areas and operate 73 special train trips to manage the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja. Between November 1 and 6, the division recorded 4.55 lakh passengers travelling on unreserved tickets and 3.65 lakh on reserved tickets. Ahmedabad Railway Station accounted for more than 3.20 lakh passengers, followed by Sabarmati with 1.30 lakh and Asarwa with around 50,000. Together, the three stations handled more than five lakh passengers during the six days. To meet the additional demand, Western Railway is operating 73 special train trips from the Ahmedabad Division during November to destinations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and other states. The services are being operated from Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Asarwa, Bhuj and Gandhidham, connecting passengers to cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Mumbai, Prayagraj, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Barauni, Rajgir, Jaipur, Haridwar and Bhagalpur. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ved Prakash visited Ahmedabad Railway Station late at night and remained there with railway officials to oversee arrangements for passengers travelling during the festive season. He inspected the holding areas and other facilities and interacted with passengers heading to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to enquire about their travel experience. He also extended Chhath Puja greetings and appealed to them to board trains in an orderly manner. Passengers raised slogans of 'Chhath Maiya Ki Jai' alongside the DRM and appreciated the arrangements. They said that after waiting for some time, they were allowed to board trains in an organised manner, allowing them to proceed towards their hometowns. Special holding areas have been set up at Ahmedabad and Sabarmati stations to prevent overcrowding on platforms. Seating, drinking water, lighting and fans have been provided at these locations for passengers waiting for their trains. The division has also arranged food packets, water bottles, chips and biscuits for general-class passengers. Voluntary organisations and NGOs are assisting in distributing food and drinking water. Additional cleaning staff have been deployed, while water coolers and other drinking water facilities are being monitored regularly. For security and crowd management, additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel, ticket-checking staff and other railway employees have been deployed. CCTV cameras are being used to monitor station premises, platforms and crowded areas. Particular attention is being paid to regulating passenger movement at entry and exit gates, foot overbridges and platforms. A dedicated war room has also been set up in the control building at the DRM's office to monitor passenger movement and train operations round the clock. During his inspection, Prakash reviewed CCTV surveillance, real-time crowd management, passenger movement on platforms, holding areas and queue-based boarding arrangements. He directed officials to coordinate immediately through the war room and take necessary action in the event of excessive crowding or passenger inconvenience at any station. Information about special train services, schedules and passenger facilities is being disseminated through electronic display boards, public announcement systems and social media. Train operations and punctuality are also being monitored regularly. The division has appealed to passengers to follow railway guidelines, maintain discipline on station premises and reach stations sufficiently ahead of their scheduled train departure times.
Delhi: Six dead in Hauz Qazi building collapse; three contractors arrested
The death toll in the building collapse incident in Delhi's Chawri Bazar area has risen to six, with all the deceased identified, officials said on Saturday. The six deceased have been identified as Sanjeet Kumar, Kishori Sah, Pankaj Sharma, Vipin Ram, Shantu and Dinesh Sah, according to the latest update issued during the ongoing rescue operations at the collapse site, according to the police. Five of the deceased hailed from Bihar, while Vipin Ram was a resident of Saket Block in Mandawali, Fazilpur, Delhi. On Thursday, the three-storey under-construction building collapsed at Gali Sheesh Mahal, Gali Shehatara, near Ajmeri Gate, in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar area at around 10:30 am. Three contractors have been arrested in connection with the collapse of an under-construction building in Delhi's Chawri Bazar area, which claimed two lives, as rescue operations continued on Friday to locate people feared trapped beneath the debris, Delhi Police said. The arrested contractors have been ide...
CM Samrat Choudhary also asked to ensure special cleanliness drives, security measures, and 24-hour patrolling at railway stations, bus stands, and Chhath ghats
Buxar administration asks officials to take steps for easing traffic congestion
Ancient idols stolen from Saran temple
'Poor Biharis don't know anything': Cong's Rajendra Pal Gautam hits back at BJP chief Nabin
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Congress In-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin, alleging that he was merely reading out a script handed to him and remarking that poor Biharis don't know anything. Gautam's remarks came after Nabin, in an exclusive interview with IANS, accused Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, of being used as an instrument to destabilise the country and create unrest, alleging that the Congress leader was acting as part of a foreign toolkit. Speaking to IANS, Gautam said, These poor Biharis do not know anything. They simply read out the scripts handed to them. Taking his criticism further, the Congress leader accused BJP leaders of being incapable of acting independently and levelled allegations against them over the handling of religious offerings made in the name of Lord Ram. They (BJP leaders) are incapable of doing anything on their own. They are people who steal offerings. They have betrayed people's faith. They came to power in the name of Lord Ram and then stole offerings made in his name. So, whose interests do they serve? We do not take them seriously, Gautam said. Earlier, Nitin Nabin referred to remarks made by a Congress Minister, who had claimed that LoP Rahul Gandhi had complete control over the emote button and could mobilise 40 lakh people to create anarchy in the country whenever he wanted. You saw how a Congress Minister said that Rahul Gandhi has complete control over the remote button and that, whenever he wants, 40 lakh people are ready to create anarchy in the country. I believe this clearly confirms what we have been saying from the beginning -- that Rahul Gandhi is being used as a toolkit to destabilise the country and create anarchy, Nabin said. The BJP President also alleged that LoP Gandhi did not understand the strength of India's democratic institutions and traditions. Rahul Gandhi does not have a clue that our country is a lot different from other nations. The democratic roots of this nation are strong, he said. If people with such nefarious mindsets, or those who have become instruments of foreign toolkits, think that they can destabilise India or spread chaos, they are mistaken, Nabin added. The democracy of this nation knows how to respond to individuals with such anarchic and Maoist-leaning mindsets. Rahul Gandhi might have tried to spread anarchy, but this country will give a fitting response to it, he said.
Chawri Bazaar building collapse: Fourth body recovered; rescue efforts on
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) One more body has been recovered from the Chawri Bazaar building collapse site on Saturday, bringing the death toll of the tragedy to four, officials said. During the ongoing rescue operations at the collapsed building site in Sattara Gali, Ajmeri Gate, one more body (fourth) has been recovered from the debris. The deceased has not been identified yet, officials said. They mentioned that the remains have been shifted by ambulance to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for further necessary proceedings. Rescue operations are continuing at the site. Earlier in the day, a third body was recovered from the debris. According to the officials, the deceased has been identified as Pankaj Sharma (40), a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Bihar's Khagaria district. With this recovery, a total of five people have been rescued/recovered from the debris, including three deceased persons and two injured persons. Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are now stable, rescue officials said. The three-storey under-construction building collapsed on Thursday. According to the officials, the information about the collapse was received at 9:50 a.m. from Gali Sitara, near Chawri Bazaar Metro Station. Subsequently, a massive rescue operation involving the Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was launched. Two bodies were recovered on Thursday, while one injured person was rescued and sent to the hospital for treatment. According to the police, the construction work underway in a now-collapsed building in Delhi's Chawri Bazaar area was illegal, and the building was unsafe. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation suspended its Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE), and an FIR has been registered against the contractor following the tragedy. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured that every possible effort will be made to extricate those trapped under the debris. She said an investigation is underway and strict action will be taken against those responsible.
Missing Constable Found Dead In Bihar River
A police constable, Dhaneshwar, who went missing two days prior during a confrontation with suspected drug smugglers in Jehanabad, Bihar, was found dead in the Dardha river. His service pistol, mobile phone, ring, and wallet were recovered intact with his body, and the exact cause of death awaits post-mortem results.
Crackdown on 352 Bihar B.Ed Colleges: NCTE Annual PAR Mandatory
Bihar 125 Free Power Opt-Out: Discoms Must Overhaul Billing Software
BPBCC Junior Engineer Recruitment 2026
Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation (BPBCC) has released Notification No. HQ 3783 for the recruitment of 18 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications till 25 November 2026. Further details are available at bpbcc.bihar.gov.in.
BRS' Sunder Raj Yadav welcomes Bihar
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Sunder Raj Yadav on Saturday welcomed the Bihar Education Department
Chawri Bazar building collapse: Death toll rises to 3 as another body found
The toll in the three-storey building collapse in Old Delhi's Hauz Qazi area rose to three on Saturday after the body of another labourer was recovered from the debris during the ongoing rescue operations, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Pankaj Sharma (40), a resident of Hanuman Nagar village in Bihar's Khagaria district, they said. After nearly 48 hours of operation at the site, five people have been pulled out of the debris -- three dead and two injured persons. Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are stable. The building under construction collapsed in Gali Sitara near Chawri Bazar Metro station around 9.45 am on Thursday. The operation to find more people and clear the rubble continued at the site. Around 10 to 15 labourers were present at the construction site when the three-storey structure came crashing down, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh had said. Earlier, two labourers, identified as Kishori (40) and .
Youth found dead in Jammus Miran Sahib
Jammu, Nov 07: A 23-year-old youth was found dead inside his rented room in the Miran Sahib area of Jammu district on Saturday morning, officials said. An official said that the youth was found dead inside his rented accommodation in Miran Sahib, Jammu. He was immediately shifted to Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Chander (23), a native of Bihar who was residing in Jammu. Meanwhile, cognizance of the incident has been taken up.(KNO)
UP: Three dead after Delhi-Bihar bus meets with accident in Kushinagar
Three people were killed and more than six others injured after a Delhi-to-Bihar passenger bus met with an accident at Labaniya Square in the Patherwa police station area of Kushinagar district, according to SHO Amit Kumar Singh of Ravindranagar police station. He said that two people died at the spot, while a third succumbed to injuries at the Medical College in Kushinagar. The deceased include two men and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl. Two critically injured passengers have been referred to the Medical College in Gorakhpur for advanced treatment. The remaining injured are undergoing treatment. Further details on the cause of the accident are awaited. (ANI)
One more body recovered from Delhi building collapse site, death toll rises to three
The death toll in the Delhi Chawri Bazar building collapse rose to 3 on Saturday after rescue workers recovered the mortal remains of another victim from the debris, police said. The deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Pankaj Sharma, a resident of Village Hanuman Nagar in Bihar's Khagaria district. With this latest recovery, a total of five individuals have been accounted for from the collapse site, comprising three fatalities and two injured persons. The other two deceased have been identified as Kishori, aged 40, and Sanjeet, aged 45. Both injured persons have received medical treatment and are now stable. Further rescue operations are still underway at the site, according to Delhi Police. The three-storey under-construction building collapsed at Gali Sheesh Mahal, Gali Shehatara, near Ajmeri Gate, in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar area at around 10:30 am on Thursday. Two people were killed, and five others sustained injuries in the incident. Three contractors have been arrested in...
Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma to play SMAT, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named Bihar captain
Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have been named in Delhi and Bengal squads, respectively, for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled to begin on November 14. On the other hand, young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi...
BPSC 71st Combined Main Examination Results Announced
The Bihar Public Service Commission has released the results for the 71st Combined Main Examination, with 3,392 candidates qualifying for the next interview stage. Candidates can download their results from the official BPSC website. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to access the results and encourages candidates to stay updated on interview dates. Congratulations to all successful candidates!
Maldivian President Pushes for Revival of SAARC
The President of the Maldives, Mohammed Muizzu, made another call for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during his visit to Pakistan on October 21, 2026. Bangladesh, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has also called for the revival of SAARC. The idea has received support from experts and public intellectuals concerned about the welfare of people living in the region. The Government of India responded to these remarks by stating that Pakistan was stymieing the grouping. The Promotion of BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC is an exercise in diplomatic shortsightedness. Equally shortsighted is the idea of reviving SAARC without India. Countries in the region have little to lose but much to gain if the SAARC platform is revived. The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled to be hosted in Islamabad from November 15 to 19, 2016, but was indefinitely postponed amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. On the positive side, however, relations between India and Pakistan have not completely broken down on all fronts. Indias External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, visited Pakistan on October 1516, 2024, to attend the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government and thanked Pakistan for its hospitality. India also participated in the planning session of the SCO Council of National Coordinators in Islamabad from September 28 to 30, 2026.The two countries completed their 35th consecutive exchange of lists of nuclear installations and facilities on January 1, 2026. The hotlines between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) remain active, and the ceasefire is also holding. Furthermore, the statement made by RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale on improving people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan was a welcome development. Many experts consider the RSS as Indias deeper state, influencing relations with Pakistan. Be that as it may, three immediate factors have a bearing on the revival of SAARC. Weighing Three Factors First, the dominant view in India is that containing terrorism emanating from Pakistan is the magic bullet for rescuing bilateral relations and bringing them back to normalcy. Diplomat Ajay Bisaria argues that Indias instincts were primarily economic, and Indias relationship with its neighbours was focused on providing security for the Indian economy to grow and preserving the economic gains already made. This is quite understandable and reasonable for any major economy but is not exclusive to India. This instinct is now fairly widespread across the countries of the region. There is a growing consensus that terrorism poses a threat to the social and economic stability of countries and that SAARC, as a regional forum, can be employed to combat it. According to the think tank PISCES, Pakistan alone witnessed 225 militant attacks in a single year up to September 2026. Therefore, the way forward lies in greater cooperation among states and a deeper process of introspection within societies. Second, the China factor is also influencing the prospects for the growth and revival of SAARC. China enjoys observer status in SAARC, while India has opposed its full membership of the organisation. Indias unilateral military actions have prompted Pakistan to seek even greater strategic proximity to China, particularly through the acquisition of Chinese military equipment and technology. The clashes between India and Pakistan in May laid bare the consequences of this policy. One consequence of such a scenario is that Indias strategic autonomy in the region is constrained, resulting in the ceding of strategic space to China. There are indications that Pakistan is signalling to both the United States and China that it no longer wishes to be a client state. In 2022, Pakistan released its first-ever National Security Policy, which emphasised that the country should resist joining geopolitical camps. The weakening of the pro-India lobby in Pakistan is also a matter of concern. Third, there are sections of opinion in Pakistan that believe India will always prefer to engage with a weak Pakistan rather than the Pakistan that exists today. Former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit recently claimed at a seminar in Pakistan that the countrys international profile had risen and that India would therefore prefer disengagement. Some India watchers in Pakistan also point to unilateralism in Indias domestic and regional politics, along with its alleged disregard for international norms and agreements, as factors contributing to growing mistrust. In light of the above discussion, it is important to examine the perspectives of the scholarly community on the challenges confronting South Asia. Scholars Speak Friend and colleague, Happymon Jacob, who has considerable expertise in Indian foreign policy, argues in his essay, The End of South Asia: A Region in Name Only, published in Foreign Affairs on July 22, 2024, that the dream of South Asia as a cohesive region is over, with significant implications for subcontinental geopolitics that policymakers and analysts have yet to fully grasp. He writes that the reality of Indias centrality has meant that New Delhi does not always recognise the value of building regional structures, as such structures cannot add much to the predominance India already enjoys in the region. Although several Indian Prime Ministers have recognised the merits of SAARC, the Indian bureaucracy and strategic establishment have never been fully convinced of its value. They have long feared that the creation of regional structures could potentially constrain Indias dominance in its neighbourhood. Nepal-based scholar Kanak Mani Dixit, finds Jacobs thesis problematic for more than one reason. He believes that Jacobs pronouncement on the death of South Asia appears to serve the interests of nation-statism, which cannot adequately manage the vast geography and multiplicity of identities that characterise South Asia. Mr Dixit further argues that Jacobs views will please those who wish to exercise centralised authority, ranging from generals in Islamabad to autocratic politicians in Kabul and Colombo, as well as dominant lobbies in New Delhi. True South Asian regionalism has not evolved to a point where the nation-state can function to the satisfaction of the people living in the region. However, we are yet to find an effective institutional mechanism to address inter-state disputes. It would therefore be incorrect to argue that regionalism in South Asia can begin or end with SAARC. The two need to be differentiated. The late Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhs longing for a day when he could have breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Kabul remains a compelling vision and is not beyond achievement. The precondition for realising this vision is that peoples power must be unleashed and mobilised in the service of humane regionalism in South Asia. The corporate sector, too, is not averse to such thinking. At one-point, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee nominated R.K. Mishra, a former journalist and a close associate of Dhirubhai Ambani, who headed the Reliance conglomerate. Reliance had an additional stake in India-Pakistan peace, as it had invested in a refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, close to the Pakistan border. Against this backdrop, it needs to be emphasised that the absence of a regional platform and the growing hesitation among SAARC countries to engage with one another have created a vacuum. This vacuum is increasingly being filled by religious radicalism and internal insecurity across the region. The road ahead remains uncertain. The Road Ahead First, without mutual accommodation between India and Pakistan, the revival of SAARC is inconceivable. Pakistan cannot be dismissed as a strategic entity. All major powers, including the United States, China, Russia and Turkey, engage with Pakistan, even when India chooses to remain disengaged. Foreign policy expert Kanti Bajpai believes that Pakistan is strategically attractive for three reasons: its location, its power and its capacity to disrupt. With approximately half a million personnel in uniform and roughly 200 nuclear warheads, Pakistan remains Indias strategic competitor. It reportedly possesses more nuclear warheads than India. By 2050, Pakistan is projected to become the worlds third-most populous country, after China and India. There is no way to peace but peace is the way. Second, by keeping SAARC in limbo, India risks pushing even Bangladesh towards a more adversarial regional posture. To borrow the expression of Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh risks becoming another Pakistan on Indias eastern front. Indias former Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, recently observed that there could be a convergence of interests among China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bangladeshs Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, has called for a Bangladesh First policy to guide his government. He has not visited India despite an invitation from the Indian Prime Minister. Bangladesh is also reportedly reviewing around 101 bilateral agreements with India. Finally, we, the people of Junoobi Asia (South Asia), need to think about the future generations who will inhabit this part of the world. India, as a major regional power, can offer ideas and solutions to the challenges confronting the region. Genuine regional leadership demands the capacity to generate ideas, build consensus and deliver tangible solutions. By adopting such an approach, India can enhance its regional influence and strengthen its position as a responsible regional power. During recent India-Pakistan Track II meetings, the dangers posed by climate change got focussed attention. Climate change can severely degrade critical sectors, including water and electricity, transportation networks and supply chains. South Asia can draw lessons from the legally binding ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response which is founded on cooperation and mutual trust. A similar framework could serve South Asia well, provided that the sovereignty of individual SAARC members is respected. The revival of SAARC is the way forward. The author is a Kashmir-based political scientist.
CM asks officials to release salaries before Diwali
In a landmark domestic cricket update, 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed as Bihars captain for their opening two matches of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2026. Sooryavanshi will lead the state side in Indore against Saurashtra on 14 November and Railways on 16 November. The decision comes after regular skipper [] The post Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named Bihar Captain for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Opener; Nitish Rana Dropped from Delhi Squad appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
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Vaibhav Suryavanshi Appointed Bihar Captain For Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026; Check Full Squad
New batting star Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been named as the captain of the Bihar senior cricket team in the first two games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026. This is going to be Suryavanshi's first experience in leading a senior
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Senior Team Captaincy, Will Lead Bihar In SMAT
Sooryavanshi's appointment comes days after Sachin Tendulkar questioned his elevation to a leadership role in the Duleep Trophy.
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MANUU students on hunger strike demanding NCAHP recognition
Hyderabad: I come from a farming family in Bihar. Families like mine do not encourage girls to get an education. I had to fight my way out, says a vocational training student at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad. With lots of convincing and reassurance of a better future, her family finally Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise continues as Bihar hand him captaincy at 15
At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been named the captain of the senior cricket team for Bihar. The Bihar Cricket Association revealed the squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, featuring 17 players, with Suraj Kashyap as vice-captain. The team's journey kicks off on November 14, following Sooryavanshi's standout performances in both the Indian Premier League and international T20 cricket.
Four food testing labs to come up in state: Nishant
Ishant Sharma Picked, Nitish Rana Left Out Of Delhis Squad For Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been named in Delhis 16-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while experienced left-handed batter Nitish Rana has been left out, said the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Friday. The squad was picked at a meeting of the senior mens selection committee held at the DDCA premises on Friday afternoon. Selectors K. Bhaskar Pillai, Manu Nayar and Praveen Gupta were present, along with head coach Vijay Dahiya, Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) chairman Sarandeep Singh and DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma. Ishants selection is a clear sign that the senior right-arm pacer, who has played more than 100 Tests, is keen to carry on playing domestic white-ball cricket for Delhi. His experience should also be valuable for fellow fast bowlers Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Simarjeet Singh. IANS understands that Rana might play one game for Delhi in order to see if hes fully fit after undergoing extensive rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Rana has been named in the India A squad for the Mens Rising Stars Asia Cup, to be played in the 50-over format from November 19 to 29 in Doha, Qatar. Rana has not played any cricket since a hamstring injury sustained in the third T20I against England, which ruled him out of the series. He was a conditional pick for the T20Is against Afghanistan and the Asian Games, but Rana suffered a left quadriceps strain during a match simulation at the CoE on September 7, which in turn extended his rehab period. Batting all-rounder Ayush Badoni will lead Delhi in the tournament and will open their Elite Group B campaign against Jammu and Kashmir in Indore on November 14. Badoni ended the first phase of the Ranji Trophy as the second-highest run-scorer with 559 runs in four games, coming at an average of 111.8, including hitting 210 not out and 217 against Gujarat and Jharkhand, respectively. The spin options include leg-spinner Suyash Sharma and mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi, while Mayank Rawat and Keshav Dabas are the all-rounders. In the batting department, Badoni will be joined by opener Priyansh Arya, former India U-19 captain Yash Dhull, Himmat Singh, Sarthak Ranjan and Ayush Doseja. Anuj Rawat and Tejasvi are the two wicketkeepers in the side. After the opening game, Delhi will face Punjab on November 16, before taking on Bihar (November 18), Saurashtra (November 20), Haryana (November 22), Tamil Nadu (November 24) and Railways (November 26). Delhi won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy only once in the 2017/18 season under Pradeep Sangwans leadership. The spin options include leg-spinner Suyash Sharma and mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi, while Mayank Rawat and Keshav Dabas are the all-rounders. In the batting department, Badoni will be joined by opener Priyansh Arya, former India U-19 captain Yash Dhull, Himmat Singh, Sarthak Ranjan and Ayush Doseja. Anuj Rawat and Tejasvi are the two wicketkeepers in the side. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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Bihar court convicts husband of murdering pregnant wife; acquits mother-in-law
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 6 (IANS) A court in Bihar's Bagaha has convicted a man of murdering his pregnant wife in a dowry-related case, while acquitting his mother-in-law due to a lack of evidence. The court of Additional District Judge (ADJ)-IV Manvendra Mishra found Pramod Yadav alias Bhutti Yadav guilty of murdering his wife, Sandhya Yadav. The court has fixed November 20, 2026, for hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence. Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Manu Rao said the conviction was based on witness testimonies and other evidence presented by the prosecution during the trial. According to the prosecution, Sandhya was pregnant at the time of her murder, and the unborn child also lost its life in the incident. The victim was pregnant at the time of the murder. Consequently, along with Sandhya, the child in her womb also lost its life. The court has found her husband, Pramod Yadav alias Bhutti Yadav, guilty in the case, Rao said. According to the case details, Garbhan Yadav, a resident of Anrahwa Nauka Tola under Padrauna police station in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district, married his 23-year-old daughter, Sandhya, to Pramod Yadav of Chankuhwa village under Piprasi police station in Bihar's West Champaran district on June 5, 2025, according to Hindu rituals. However, shortly after the marriage, Sandhya allegedly began facing harassment from her husband and in-laws over dowry demands. Her husband reportedly visited her parental home and demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh as dowry. The case took a tragic turn on September 11, 2025, when her family received information around 4 a.m. that Sandhya was unwell. When her relatives reached her matrimonial home, they allegedly found that she had been murdered. Following the incident, a case was registered against her husband, mother-in-law Leelavati Devi, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. During the trial, the prosecution presented witness statements and other evidence to establish the husband's involvement in the crime. The court convicted Pramod Yadav under Sections 103(1) and 91 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while acquitting him of the remaining charges. His mother-in-law, Leelavati Devi, was acquitted of the charges due to insufficient evidence. Pramod Yadav is currently lodged in judicial custody. The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on November 20, when the punishment to be awarded to the convicted man will be determined.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named Bihar Captain For Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Bihar are in Group B alongside Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Railways, Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu
Teenage Run Machine Sooryavanshi Gets Captaincy Call
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed captain of Bihar's senior team for the initial two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, starting November 14. Suraj Kashyap will serve as vice-captain. Sooryavanshi, known for his IPL and India T20I performances, will lead Bihar in Group B, with their first match against Saurashtra in Indore.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to captain Bihar at 15, leads Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to captain Bihar at 15, leads Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad
Train enroute to Bengal catches fire in Punjab, all passengers escape unhurt
Digital Desk | Patiala, Nov 6 (IANS) A major tragedy was averted in Punjab on Friday after four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express, which was enroute to West Bengal, caught fire near Sarai Banjara in Patiala district, officials said. All passengers of the Express train escaped unhurt. Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinod Kumar Bhatia told reporters that the train was travelling from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. He said: The fire incident was reported between Rajpura and Sadhu Garh railway stations. When the loco pilot and guard noticed automatic chain pulling (ACP) and dropping of pressure, they quickly brought the train under control. After getting down, they noticed fire and smoke and immediately took precautions. Bhatia added that all the passengers were evacuated and the affected coaches were isolated to prevent the fire from spreading to other coaches. As soon as the guard informed our control room, we regulated and controlled the trains on the other line as well, he said. The DRM also said that initially, one coach was affected, but as strong winds were blowing at the time of the incident, the fire spread to other coaches. A total of four coaches were affected. No one was injured and there were no casualties, he added. A similar incident was reported from Bihar in August, when a massive fire broke out on the Samastipur-Saharsa Passenger train (63344) at Simri Bakhtiyarpur railway station in the state's Saharsa district. The incident triggered panic among passengers and railway staff. According to information, the fire started near the train's middle engine and rapidly spread to three coaches. Thick smoke and towering flames created a chaotic situation at the station. A large number of passengers were travelling on the train when the fire broke out. As soon as they noticed the flames, passengers began getting off the coaches. A potentially serious tragedy was averted as all passengers reportedly managed to evacuate safely. After receiving information about the fire, multiple fire tenders and railway officials reached the station. Firefighters launched an immediate operation and eventually brought the blaze under control.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appointed as Bihars captain for first two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 6 (IANS) Teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will captain Bihars senior team for the first time after being named as their skipper for the opening two matches of the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While announcing a 17-member squad on Friday, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) named Suraj Kashyap as the sides vice-captain. BCA president Harsh Vardhan said the role would aid Sooryavanshis development as a player. Vaibhav has already demonstrated tremendous talent, confidence and maturity at a young age, and this responsibility will provide him with another opportunity to grow as a cricketer and leader. We are hopeful that under Vaibhavs leadership, the team will deliver a disciplined, competitive and effective performance while representing the state in the upcoming season, he said. The captaincy comes on the back of a remarkable rise for Sooryavanshi. After making India win the 2026 Under-19 Mens Cricket World Cup by hitting 175 in the final and becoming Player of the Tournament, the left-handed batter became the leading run-getter in IPL 2026 while turning out for the Rajasthan Royals with 776 runs coming at a strike rate of 237.30. Those exploits earned him a place in the India T20I side, and he became the youngest international cricketer for the country by debuting in the second game against England in Manchester in July. In the recent third T20I against New Zealand, Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma put on 118 without loss in the first six overs - the highest powerplay total in mens T20Is. The pair added 133 for the opening wicket in just 43 balls. Sooryavanshi made 45 off 19 deliveries, while Abhishek smashed 113 off 38 balls. Overall, Vaibhav has scored 295 runs in ten T20Is at an average of 29.5 and strike rate of 185.53, including hitting two fifties. Bihars squad was finalised at a meeting of the BCAs senior mens selection committee on Friday, after trials held from November 4 to 6 and a review of past performances was done. Committee Chairman Harvinder Singh and member Amitabh Vijayvargiya attended the meeting, while selector S. Sarath joined via telephonic call. Mangal Mahour and pacer Sakib Hussain have also been picked, but subject to fitness. The selectors will assess them after the first two games before deciding whether they are available to play. Interestingly, the BCA has also named 16 standby players. Bihar will play their first two matches against Saurashtra and Railways in Indore on November 14 and 16 respectively. The support staff of the states Ranji Trophy team will remain with the side for the whole tournament, while Harvinder and Vijayvargiya will travel to Indore to watch the matches. Bihar squad: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (captain), Suraj Kashyap (vice-captain), Alok Kumar, Ayush Loharuka (wk), Altamash Ashraf, Param Kumar Singh, Anmol Kumar (wk), Ritwik Raj, Mayank Kumar, Raghvendra Pratap, Ashish Kumar, Vasudev Pratap Singh, Mohammad Izhar, Amod Yadav, Prashant Singh, Nawaz Khan, Himanshu Singh. Subject to fitness: Mangal Mahour, Shakib Hussain. Standbys: Bipin Saurabh, Suman Kumar, Akash Raj, Khalid Alam, Bhaskar Dubey, Kumar Rajnish, Suyash, Abhijeet Saket, Yashasvi Rishabh, Lakhan Raja, Pawan Kumar, Amit Chaudhary, Piyush Singh, Bhanu Kumar, Lokesh Babulal Kumar, Prashant Srivastava.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Handed Captaincy Role In BCCI's National T20 Tournament
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been named the captain of the senior Bihar men's team. He will lead the side in their first two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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New ROB inaugurated near Ara Junction in Bhojpur
Patna encounter: Misa Bharti demands impartial probe; families of three deceased stage protest
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 6 (IANS) After the encounter of three individuals in Patna's Maner area, Misa Bharti, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lok Sabha MP from Patliputra, visited the Danapur Sub-divisional hospital on Friday and raised questions over the encounter. Bharti met the grieving families and gathered details about the incident. Targeting the state government, she said that while the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary claims to be committed to eradicating crime, the police are allegedly killing innocent people. Questioning the circumstances of the encounter, Misa Bharti demanded an impartial investigation, saying that the truth must come out and justice must be ensured for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, tension prevailed at a hospital in Patna on Friday after the incident that triggered protests by their family members, who accused the police of staging a conspiracy and demanded an impartial investigation. The agitated relatives created a ruckus on the hospital premises and smashed the windows of several vehicles while questioning the police version of the encounter. They alleged that the police had deliberately killed the three men, saying that if the intention was merely to apprehend them, the personnel could have shot them in the legs instead of killing them. As the situation escalated, police personnel attempted to pacify the protesters, but their efforts failed. The police subsequently used mild force to disperse the crowd and clear the hospital premises. Ramashish Yadav, brother of one of the deceased, JP Yadav, also condemned the police action, alleging that his brother was killed in an unjustified operation. He said several questions remained unanswered in the police account and demanded an independent probe and action against the personnel involved. Patna City Superintendent of Police (Central) Chandra Prakash said action would be taken against those found responsible. The bodies of the three deceased have been sent to AIIMS Patna for post-mortem examinations. The investigation is underway, with police examining all aspects of the incident, Chandra Prakash added. Meanwhile, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma said the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Patna Police had been conducting special operations to curb criminal activities. Acting on a tip-off about a group of criminals allegedly planning a major crime, a joint team conducted an operation in the jurisdiction of Maner police station on November 6. According to the SSP, the suspects opened fire as the police team approached them. One bullet reportedly grazed the uniform of the Maner Station House Officer (SHO). The police retaliated, injuring three suspects, who were subsequently rushed to a hospital and declared dead by doctors. Preliminary findings suggest that the suspects fired more than 24 rounds at the police team. Weapons were also recovered from the deceased, the SSP said. He added that all three had criminal records and were allegedly involved in a murder committed in Maner on the day of Durga Ashtami this year. Further legal proceedings are underway. The SSP said the post-mortem examinations would be conducted under full videographic recording to ensure transparency in the process.
